An investigation is underway in the Gifford area of Hampton County, South Carolina, following a shooting incident on January 4, 2026, that resulted in the death of Dequan Marquis Hill, a Black male. The Hampton County Sheriff's Office identified Hill as the victim in what has been described as the county's first fatal shooting of the year. The incident, which occurred on Lasten Street, also left two other individuals injured.
Authorities from the Gifford Police Department, the Hampton
County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are jointly handling the investigation. At this time, law enforcement has not released any information regarding a potential suspect or any arrests made in connection with the shooting. The investigation remains active as officials continue to piece together the events that led to the deadly encounter.
Family and friends will gather to remember Dequan Marquis Hill Sr. at a visitation scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Riley's Funeral Home Hampton Chapel Inc. A funeral service is set to take place the following day, Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Long Branch Baptist Church in Gifford, with burial to follow in the Long Branch Cemetery.
